Copland

Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 21 of RIDGEWAY, deputy Londell Kirvin tells sheriff Willa Knox about his sister's girlfriend Cate's plan to write a TV show about the crime scene in Echo ... and how he 'cleverly' pointed her in the direction of Dixie mafia crime boss Big Boy ...


EXT. POLICE PRECINCT - DAY
A brick building on a woodsy,
rural road on the outskirts of town.

A giant billboard advertises
‘The Great Passion Play.

Group Discounts Available.’
The gospel according to Gomer.

A giant RV sits
in the parking lot
with a FOR SALE sign
in the front window.

INT. POLICE PRECINCT - FOYER - DAY
Your usual small-town police station.
Londell stands next to WILLA KNOX (40’s)
the sheriff. Unwraps a candy bar.

Willa’s a big-boned gal,
but has a face that could
launch a thousand crooks,
with a long chestnut mane
in a ponytail.

She pops in a piece of nicotine gum.
Grimaces at the taste.

WILLA
A screenwriter? Do tell.

LONDELL
Yep. Just moved here.
Shacking up with my wife’s sister.

WILLA
Really.

LONDELL
Really. And check it out.
She’s writing a TV show about Echo.

WILLA
Interesting.

LONDELL
Yeah. It’s a crime story,
so I told her --
(low)
Go talk to Big Boy.
See if he’s got any --
(clears his throat)
Great stories for her to use.
(big smile)
Was that freakin’ brilliant or WHAT.

WILLA
Good work, Londell.
Keep me posted.

LONDELL
You can count on it.
(beat)
How’s the quitting smoking going?

WILLA
(softly)
I wanna fucking rip
someone’s head off.

LONDELL
(holds up the candy bar)
Maybe you should have a candy bar.
(smiles)
Works for me.

He nods. Takes a bite. Ambles away.
Willa watches him go.

Takes out another piece of gum.
Pops it in. Makes a face.